Mobility 21 Announces
2014 Summit Award Winners

For the past 13 years, Mobility 21 has recognized leaders in the transportation industry for their tremendous contributions to the mobility of Southern California. Mobility 21 is proud to announce the 2014 award winners! They will be recognized at a luncheon ceremony during the Summit on Friday, Sept. 5 at the Disneyland Hotel.

Join us in honoring the award winners at this year’s Summit. Save $100 by registering by Friday, July 18!

Waxman_sqLifetime Achievement Award
Hon. Henry A. Waxman (invited)
Representative, United States House of Representatives

 


Feinstein_sqPublic Sector Leader of the Year Award
Hon. Dianne Feinstein (invited)
Senator, United States Senate

 


Daly_sqPublic Sector Leader of the Year Award
Hon. Tom Daly
Assemblymember, California State Assembly

 


Katz_sqPrivate Sector Leader of the Year Award
Richard Katz
Owner, Richard Katz Consulting, Inc.

 


Primmer_sqMobility 21 Service Award
Marnie O’Brien Primmer
Director of Strategic Business Development, Transpo Group

 


This conceptual operations map shows the new light rail station at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street where riders would transfer to an Automated People Mover to LAX Airport. Click here to view larger map.

Metro Board Approves New Station at Aviation/96th
As Best Option to Connect to LAX People Mover

Excerpt from Metro’s “The Source”

Last Thursday the Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a new light rail station at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street along the Crenshaw/LAX Line as the best option to serve as the “gateway” transfer point to an Automated People Mover that would take people to terminals at Los Angeles International Airport. The people mover is being planned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which would build the project.

The next steps: Metro must environmentally clear the station, design it and identify the funding before anything gets built. The Crenshaw/LAX Line is currently under construction and the new station would be added to that project. That project is scheduled to be completed in 2019; the people mover could be completed as early as 2022 according to the Metro staff report and officials with Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office said last Thursday that the city will attempt to possibly accelerate that date.

“This is a historic day for LAX and a historic day for our city because we’re finally on the way to bringing rail to LAX,” Mayor Garcetti told the Metro Board last Thursday. “I think we’ll be able to fix a historic mistake of our past.”

The Metro Green Line infamously came up two miles short of LAX and requires a shuttle bus ride to reach airport terminals. The new Aviation/96th station would also serve some Green Line trains.

People movers are a type of train and are used to connect to regional transit systems by large airports in the U.S. and abroad. The chief advantage of the people mover over the existing shuttle bus: the people mover would run on an elevated guideway above traffic while the shuttle bus shares roads with traffic.

The new Aviation/96th station would be about .4 miles north of the station to be built at Aviation and Century boulevards as part of the Crenshaw/LAX Line. The idea, according to Metro, is that the Aviation/96th station would be the gateway for passengers headed to LAX while the Aviation/Century station would connect riders to the many businesses along the Century Boulevard corridor.


Award-winning bus transit stations in the cities of Brawley and El Centro in Imperial County.

Imperial Valley Transit Centers Win Local Awards

Two new bus transit stations in the Imperial Valley are completed and operational in the cities of Brawley and El Centro. The Brawley Transit Station was awarded the American Public Works Association (APWA) Transportation Project of the Year for projects under $2 million, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Award of Merit in Urban Design and Beautification, and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) award for Achievement in Integrated Planning. The Brawley Station and Gold Line circulator bus service was also recognized as a finalist for Transit Project of the Year with the California Transportation Foundation. The Brawley Station opened in December 2013, coinciding with the opening of Imperial Valley Transit’s Gold Line, servicing riders throughout the City of Brawley. The station is located within the downtown core and contains six bus bays, security cameras, photovoltaic lighting, shade canopies, restroom, bike racks, pedestrian lighting and xeriscaped landscaping.

The El Centro Regional Transit Terminal won the APWA Transportation Project of the Year for Projects Between $2 to $5 million, and the SCAG award for Achievement in Integrated Planning. Located at State Street and 7th Street, this station opened in January 2014 and connects the regional services for Imperial Valley Transit, and other express routes, throughout the Imperial Valley, and express service from Winterhaven, Calif. and the Yuma, Ariz. area. The El Centro station is also located in the downtown core and contains eight bus bays, remote police station, security cameras, photovoltaic lighting, shade canopies with a misting system, public restrooms, bike racks, pedestrian lighting, an art wall and xeriscaped landscaping.

Both stations are centrally located, in previously vacant lots, and designed to provide for safe transfers for riders, in a secure and inviting place. These centrally located stations provide pedestrian friendly access to riders, and as a result, remove automobiles from the road, and reduce air pollution. The new stations were regionally planned and built with state and federal funds acquired by the Imperial County Transportation Commission. The design and construction was led by the cities of Brawley and El Centro in partnership with private industry firms. Both projects were designed by PSOMAS with a goal to enhance their respective town center locations and create future opportunities for sustainable improvements in the downtown areas.


AECOM is at work on the Metro Gold Line Azusa to Montclair Extension.

Summit Sponsor Spotlight:
AECOM

Moving Los Angeles Forward

One of the world’s leading professional technical and management support services firms, AECOM is also recognized for our commitment to social responsibility and ethical leadership. We have been named by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the last four years. However, it is our partnership with and connection to our community that keeps us a leader. That is why AECOM is proud to again sponsor the Mobility 21 Summit and highlight all of the great work being done throughout the region. AECOM has been headquartered in Los Angeles for over 60 years, and has worked on every Metro Rail and Metrolink line. We look forward to continuing to partner with Mobility 21 to help our community grow and prosper.

Project Highlight

AECOM has been selected to provide engineering and environmental support for a 12.3-mile extension of the Metro Gold Line. The extension will connect the historic downtowns of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Claremont, and Montclair.

“AECOM is honored to support the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority in the further development of our regional transportation system,” said Jim de la Loza, Senior Vice President and California Transportation Lead. “The project will extend the benefits of modern rail transit to many San Gabriel Valley communities.”


Former FedEx Canada President to Head Port

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners is scheduled to vote today to name Jon W. Slangerup, a veteran corporate executive with extensive experience in global logistics and environmental technologies, as the Port of Long Beach’s new Chief Executive.

“After an extensive, nationwide search, the Board of Harbor Commissioners is very pleased to recommend the appointment of Jon Slangerup as the Port’s new Chief Executive,” said Harbor Commission President Doug Drummond. “He’s an extremely capable leader, proven team-builder and expert at managing a world-class organization. In our highly competitive, quickly changing industry challenged by major environmental and energy issues, he’s the perfect person for the job.”

With the pending expansion of the Panama Canal and the aftermath of the 2008 recession, port communities throughout North America have been highly focused on maintaining and growing their business. At the same time, ports have faced public pressure to “green” their operations.

READ MORE


2013/2014 SANBAG President Bill Jahn (right) received a commemorative gavel from incoming President L. Dennis Michael at the 2014 SANBAG General Assembly held on June 12. Photo courtesy of Melanie Nelson.

SANBAG 4th Annual General Assembly Marks Completion of a Successful 2013/2014

On June 12, the San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) held their 4th Annual General Assembly at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. This gathering of the transportation community, elected officials and local citizenry provides a forum for highlighting the many accomplishments of the regional transportation agency and value of Measure I, the half-cent sales tax for transportation improvements in San Bernardino County. Outgoing SANBAG President Bill Jahn presided over this year’s activities that showcased SANBAG’s robust transportation program; celebrated the advances towards achieving the San Bernardino Countywide Vision through its reinvigorated Council of Governments role; recognized members of the community for outstanding contributions to the county through the inaugural presentation of the SANBAG Visioning Awards; and, provided a keynote address by noted actor and political commentator, Ben Stein.

“I was proud to preside over this history-making year at SANBAG,” SANBAG President Jahn said to the more than 350 people in attendance. Jahn then walked the audience through a year that included the completion of the Colton Crossing Rail to Rail Grade Separation Project; the four-phase, multi-year Interstate 215 Widening Project in San Bernardino; the kick-off of the first capital rail projects in the agency’s history; and much more.

Just before passing the gavel to incoming SANBAG President, L. Dennis Michael (Mayor of Rancho Cucamonga), Jahn honored a number of citizens with the first-of-its-kind SANBAG Visioning Award. The award recognizes an individual or group who has made significant contributions to their respective communities in the following ways:

  • Displaying leadership, integrity and a strong commitment
  • Enhancing civic, environmental and social stewardship
  • Working collaboratively
  • Promoting ethical conduct and reliability

The evening ended in grand style as political commentator, Mr. Ben Stein, kept the crowd riveted to his social commentary on the micro- and macro-challenges Americans face in a rapidly changing world. Stein’s brash style and direct phrasing of his interpretation of the decline of education and family in America attempted to serve as a reminder to those in attendance that they all have a part to play in moving our community forward.

The 2014 General Assembly was a huge success. For information on how you can participate in the 2015 General Assembly, e-mail SANBAG Public Information Officer, Tim Watkins, at twatkins@sanbag.ca.gov.


A photo shot in late April 2014 shows the progress made on the award-winning ARTIC building in Anaheim, California. The project is currently on track and within budget for Fall 2014 completion. Photo courtesy of Tom Fox, SWA Group.

Summit Sponsor Spotlight:
Parsons Brinckerhoff

Parsons Brinckerhoff is a global consulting firm assisting public and private clients to plan, develop, design, construct, operate and maintain thousands of critical infrastructure projects around the world. Founded in New York City in 1885, Parsons Brinckerhoff is a diverse company of 14,000 people in more than 150 offices on five continents. With a strong commitment to technical excellence, a diverse workforce, and service to our clients, we are currently at work on thousands of infrastructure projects throughout the world. These range from the mega-projects that define an entire region to smaller, more local projects that keep a community humming.

Project Example:
Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC)

The City of Anaheim and Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) are collaborating on the development of ARTIC, a regional transportation gateway that will provide boarding and transfer points for 10 different transportation modes, including Metrolink commuter rail, Amtrak, OCTA buses, tour and charter buses, carpools and vanpools, taxis, shuttles, and bicycles. A future phase will accommodate California High-speed Rail, the California terminus of the Nevada Super Speed Train, and ARC.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is providing master planning, architectural and engineering services for the transportation center facility, designed as a platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)-certified building.

Follow-on phases will include a mixed-use activity center and commercial development. The project is currently under construction and on schedule for a fall 2014 completion.


An aerial shot of the new Regional Intermodal Transportation Center at Bob Hope Airport. Photo: Dan Lichtner

Bob Hope Airport Officially Opens
Regional Intermodal Transportation Center

Excerpt from Metro’s “The Source”

Bob Hope Airport held a grand opening ceremony last Friday for the $112 million Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (RITC). The 520,000-square-foot transit hub is the first project of its kind in Los Angeles County and an inspiring example of how Bob Hope Airport, Metro and Metrolink have worked with federal and state government to expand plane-to-train connections. The RITC took two years to complete and is the largest capital project in the airport’s history. It also establishes the first direct rail-to-terminal connection at any Southern California airport.

The RITC is located immediately across the street from the Bob Hope Airport Station served by Metrolink and Amtrak. It will house a new bus transit station and rental car facilities and is connected to the passenger terminal via an elevated walkway.

Transit officials also announced the plans for a pedestrian bridge between the RITC and the existing Metrolink station along Empire Avenue.


2014 WTS Orange County Transportation Academy

Aug. 5, 7, 11, 13 and 14
More info | Apply

Do you know a college student who might consider a career in transportation? WTS Orange County will be holding the 5th Annual Transportation Academy this August. The Transportation Academy is a two-week immersion into different facets of the transportation industry for college students.

Participants will be exposed to management, finance, operations and planning, as well as engineering, construction management and public involvement principals. In addition to hearing from top executives within the transportation field, students will experience transportation firsthand through a series of onsite tours including live construction projects, Los Angeles Harbor via boat, a rail yard, tolling facilities and more.

Twenty-five students will be accepted as part of the 2014 class. Click here to complete and submit the application. There is no cost to students and lunch is provided.


Poverty Summit: Fifty Years into the War on Poverty

Wednesday, Aug. 20
California Science Center
More info | Register

The Southern California Leadership Council and the Southern California Association of Governments invite you to “Fifty Years into the War on Poverty: A Summit on Advancing Southern California’s Battle Plan for Victory – Poverty to Jobs, Workforce Development Tactics & Economic Growth Campaigns.” Socioeconomic data presented at the 2013 Southern California Economic Recovery & Job Creation Summit showed that the Southern California region has a much lower than average educational attainment level, which in turn results in alarmingly low median average household income levels and extremely high poverty rates. One-in-four children lives below the poverty line. Even after fifty years, more needs to be done. The Southern California Association of Governments and the Southern California Leadership Council are hosting this summit to help raise awareness, develop a broad coalition of stakeholders to help find solutions, identify specific actions needed to move people out of poverty into jobs, assure Southern California’s future prosperity for our economy and residents, and outline ways for attendees to get involved.


OCTA Business Expo

Thursday, Oct. 23
Disneyland Hotel
More info | Register

More than 500 business owners are expected to attend the 2014 OCTA Business Expo to network and discover how to effectively work with OCTA, private firms and other public agencies. The expo will deliver added value through an extended program featuring breakout sessions, roundtable discussions with industry leaders and decisions-makers, a lunch program, a VIP reception and abundant, well-organized exhibit space with generous time allotted for visiting the booths.


Transportation Events in the Community

Thursday, July 3
WTS-SD: Members Only – Dash & Dine Gaslamp 5K
More info

Thursday, July 10
WTS-SD: Annual Student Scholarship Bowling Fundraiser
More info | Register

Tuesday, July 15
WTS-IE: 3rd Annual Fundraising Softball Event
More info | Register

Wednesday, July 16
WTS-OC: Luncheon Featuring OCTA
More info | Register

Wednesday, July 23
CMAA So Cal: Caltrans – Districts 7/8/12 Project Updates
More info | Register

Monday, July 28
WTS-SD: Lunch & Learn Program
More info

Wednesday, Aug. 20
SCAG: Poverty Summit: Fifty Years into the War on Poverty
More info | Register

Friday, Sept. 5
Mobility 21 Summit: Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim
More info | Register

Sept. 7-8
ARTBA: National Convention, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

Thursday, Oct. 23
OCTA: Business Expo
More info | Register

Thursday, Nov. 13
WTS-LA: 28th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner

Nov. 16-18
Self-Help Counties Coalition: Focus on the Future Conference,
Santa Clara, Calif.

Thursday, Dec. 4
WTS-OC: 26th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner

Thursday, Jan. 22
WTS-IE: 10th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner